Automatic cut-out



May 10, 1927.

C. M. STARR AUTOMATIC CUT-OUT Filed July "Ll "3251 Patented May 10,1927.

CHARLES M. STARR, OF SOUTH BEND. IEDIN'A.

AUTOMATIC CUTUT.

Application tiled July 11, 1925. Serial No. @$69.

This invention relates to an improved automotive appliance,` which maybe readily entitled an automatic electric circuit cutout.

The invention has more particular refer- 5 ence to a cut-out which isdesigned to be einbodied in and to form a permanent part of an electricignition circuit or system or the like which is employed in associationWith iiiternal'combustion engines, used more par-- ticularly uponautomobiles and the like.

It has been observed that automobile operators frequently forget to turnoil' the ignition control switch, and the result that currentcontinually discharges from the battery i5 through the various outletsof the circuit,

and in a comparatively short time, the battery is run down and must berecharged.

In order to prevent this accidental Waste ot' electric current, I haveevolved and produced an exceedingly novel and simple and inexpensivecontrivance which can be readily embodied in the ignition circuit of anautomobile in order to serve to automatically open the circuit themoment that the engine stops. Consequently, if the operator Should tailto turn ott the main controlling switch on the instrument board, thecircuit Would, be nevertheless broken and no current allowed to passtherethrough and Waste.

The particular construction employed for accomplishing the end sought,constitutes the novelty. This construction will be pointed out indetail, and will then be set forth in the appended claim.

In the accompanying drawing, forming a, part of this application, and inwhich like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout thesame:

Figure 1 is a side view of a device constructed in accordance with thepresent in- 7 vention.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the same.

Fig. 3 is a central sectional view, with parts in elevation. l

Fig. 4 is a view like Fig. 2 looking at the opposite side of the same.

F ig. 5 is a detail view showing the removable cover in place.

' Referring to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that thereference character 1 designates generally a metal stamping, embodying acu 2 having a pair ot' eripheral att-ach ing anges 3 at the open sidesthereof. The center of this cup is depressed to provide a eoncavity 4. Arelatively small suction con duit 5 is connected with this depressionand extends through the rim of the cup and is adapted to be connected tothe intake inanitold (not shown) of an internal combustion Aengine inany appropriate manner.

and a metallic contact strip 10. The tree end portion of this strip 1G,indicated at il extends across the center of the device as.

more plainly shown in F ig. 2 and forms what will be broadlyv referredto as a relatively movable contact. This movable contact is cooperablewith the extended end or' a coinplen'iental Contact strip 12 with whichanother strip of insulation 13 is cocperable.

Attention is directed to the tact that a single fastener may be employedfor holding the contact l12, insulating strip 13 and a part ot the 'ring7, diaphragm 6 in position uponthe stamping 1. This is also true et theContact strip 10, insulating 9 etc. This is believed to be a novelassembly of parts. It is yet to be pointed out that a bolt connector 14is carried by the central portion of the aforesaid diaphragm 6 andextends through the central opening at the center of the ring 7 and isconnected with the central portion of the relatively movable contact 11.

Thus, when the diaphragm is acted on, it exerts a pull upon thisconta-ct strip and moves it into electrical engagement With therelatively stationary contact 12.

Attention is also .called to a removable cover 15 which I employ. Thisis provided at diametrically opposite points with bayon net slots 16.Obviously, these bayonet slots are engageable with the extensionsprovided by the insulation members and contacts and serve to hold thecover in operative position by simply rotating the same., In connectionwith the ber insulation strip, it will be noted that they are a littlebit Wider than the contact strips, so that when the cover is placed overthe contacts, short circuiting will be prevented.

In cases `where a metallic cover is used, this will be advantageous inthat it will prevent the cover from serving as a means for conductingthe current from one contact to the other. It is also clear from Fig. 5,that the suction tube itself functions addition ally as a stop forengaging one end of one of the bayonet slots to limit the rotation ofthe cover. It is also clear that the apertured ends of the contact stripand insulation strip constitutes a means whereby the circuit Wires maybe conveniently connected u""nereyvith by small bolts, or theirequivalents. l

In practice the device is preferably mounted upon the dash board of theautomobile and secured in place by passing suitable fasteners throughthe attaching lianges 3. The conduit 5 is constructed in a manner topermit the same to be connected to the intake manifold of the engine.The purpose ot this conduit is for creating a suction in the chamberformed between the diaphragm 6 and the wall of the concavity 4.Obviously, the suction created will serve to flex or suck the diaphragminto the concavity.

inasmuch as this diaphragm is connected to the movable circuit closingstrips ll, it is clear that when the free end of the same contacts withthe stationary contact strip, the circuit, in which the device is thenincluded, will be automatically closed.

From the foregoing it Will be obvious that should the operator leave themachine and inadvertently fail to turn oill the main control switch forthe ignition circuit, the presence of the proposed contrivance justdescribed in this circuit will serve to open the circuit the moment thatthe suction in the intake manifold stops. Vv'ith the key of the mainswitched on, however, the moment that the operator places his' foot onthe starter or turns the main shaft over with the hand crank, thesuction thus created by the pistons operating in the cylinders vvillserve, through the medium of the suction tube or switch device, toautomatically close the circuit and to permit it to operate in the usualWay. Consequently', the utility of a device of this lrind cannot beover-estimated. Nor is the reliability and operativeness of a device ofthis kind to be questioned. It has been actually madeand used in anumber of instances and has proved beyond expectation in that it isindeed practical and eflicient in every respect.

The device is exceedingly inexpensive, being made from very cheap partswhich are such as to enable them to be assembled with the least possibletrouble and Without requiring undue time. These and other ad vantagesand features of the invention will doubtless be made apparent by acareful reading of the description in connection with the drawings.Therefore a more lengthy description is not thought necessary.

While the preferred embodimentof the invention has been shown anddescribed, it is to be understood that minor changes com ing Within thefield of invention claimed may be resorted to if desired.

Having thus described my invention, what l claim as new is As a newarticle of manufacture, an auto matically operable electric circuitcut-out of the class described, a flanged cup, the bottom of said cupbeing centrally depressed to provide a concavity, a flexible diaphragmccnnected to said cup bottom and spanning the open side of the concavityto form a suction chamber, dianietrically opposite contacts includingrelatively stationary and rigid con acting parts, fastenings passingthrourh said contacts and diaphragm and into the bottom of the cup formounting said contacts on said cup, a connection between theintermediate portion of one of the contacts and the central portion ofthe diaphragm, a suction tube connected with the depression andcommunicating with said suction chamber, and a cover adapted to fit uponsaid cup to en close said contacts, said cover being provided Withdiametrically opposite bayonet slots cooperable with the contacts andwith said suction tube for maintaining the cover in place.

In testimony ivhereotI I atlix my signature.

CHARLES M. STARR.

